Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks has died.
The team announced early Monday morning that Kivlenieks died Sunday at the age of 24. According to ESPN, the autopsy determined that his death was the result of “of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast.” The team previously reported that that he “suffered an apparent head injury in a fall.” (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
The Blue Jackets described the situation as a “tragic accident.”
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Kivi.https://t.co/o2EDRgxQ5A pic.twitter.com/FCBr0ZaH25
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 5, 2021
This is nothing short of an absolute tragedy. Kivlenieks was just a young man with his whole future ahead of him.
Now, at the age of 24, he’s passed onto the other side.
Matiss Kivlenieks, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie, has died after an apparent head injury suffered from a fall.
He was 24. pic.twitter.com/DBTWx0e4PT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 5, 2021
Death is always sad, but it’s significantly worse when it involves someone dying way too soon and at a young age.
It’s just incredibly sad, and it’s almost hard to find the necessary words to describe the situation.
#CBJ confirmed reports in Latvia that G Matiss Kivlenieks has passed away at the age of 24.
Working on the details, but such awful news.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 5, 2021
Rest easy, Matiss. It’s just a damn tragedy.
*This piece has been updated to reflect the most current information on Kivlenieks’ death.